Black Forest & Vosges Mountains Tour 21 – 27 July 2015
The Group in the Black Forest – another good mix of regulars & new guests made for a great trip
 We start with a pre-tour briefing |
 We always re-group before any motorway |
“John and Jen, I just wanted to say again, thanks for a really great tour. You are both consummate hosts! Like everyone, without exception, I had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday because J&J did such a superb job and because you’re all such very good company. As a “tour virgin” (that’s tour not tall!) I didn’t quite know what to expect even though I am a very experienced bike tourer in Europe. It was a revelation not to have to think about where to stay or even when to eat or refuel – just enjoy riding my bike. The big shock has been coming back and having to make all these decisions for myself! Like many of you I’m back in reality and thinking, “where shall go on the bike today – Switzerland or Germany? However, Pompey is the only destination for the foreseeable future 😞!.. Kind regards and best wishes, Big marrow Stew!”
Stew Collier, 1st trip, GSXR1000, Portsmouth, Hampshire
 And always tell you which exit to take |
 Bikes parked up at lunch stop |
“Thanks to Jen + John for organizing another great trip. Brilliant tour with brilliant roads! The hotels were spot on and the stop locations were gorgeous. Great bunch of people too, even though there were a few hiccups the group really stuck together, that’s what biking is all about! Cheers guys, can’t wait for the next outing” Michael Palmer, 3rd trip, Street Triple, Lincolnshire
 Lovely scenery en-route |
 We follow the River Semois in the Ardennes |
| “Hi John and Jen, there are no further superlatives to describe the time that I had on my virginal trip away with BN tours. The organisation was absolutely brilliant, it was great not to have to worry about the route, fuel stops etc. The hotels were great with superb food in great locations. Every day was an adventure on some of the best roads that I have encountered. The interest stops at the biggest cuckoo clock and the toboggan run were ace. I would like to say that the trip was made more perfect by meeting great new friends who I hope I will catch up with some time in the future either on another tour or otherwise…finally, John and Jen, thank you very much for being the consummate hosts and organising the best bike trip ever “TOP FUN” All the best” Gordon Cree, 1st tour, BMW K1300S, Rayleigh, Essex
“John and Jen, thank you so much for another brilliant holiday: I really enjoyed it, despite me not being in control of my own bike at all times! It was a brilliant group and we had so many laughs. I got home safely after 1,400 miles and 18 diary pages…Hoping to see you all on another Bike Normandy tour sometime soon. Kind regards” Catt Darby, 2nd trip, Honda CBF600, Hemel Hempsted, Herts |
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 Gorgeous views |
 The cygnets are grown up this year |
| “Thanks to John and Jen for organising the tour, it was so well planned out, it took all the worry away about finding routes, hotels and places for coffee and cake! Hotels were of a very good standard, great locations, spacious rooms, clean and with a good breakfast, and of course we had some great riding…we both thoroughly enjoyed it, and thank you both for all your support and help, I don’t know what we would have done without you both. I can’t thank you enough.“ Ros & Andy Moseley, 1st trip, Honda Blackbird, Bedworth, Warwickshire |
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 Our hotel in the Ardennes |
 Drinks before dinner |
“Hi everyone…
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 Time to relax |
 “Amuse Bouche” are served |
| “It was the best organised tour I have ever been on.” John Vale, 1st trip, VFR800, Greenford, Middlesex
“What a splendid trip! The reason I like to do organised tours is that it takes away all the worries about booking hotels, routes, roads, fuel, lunch etc. all the planning by John and Jen and the thought put into this trip really paid off. It left us to enjoy the whole experience. The trip was made by the people and this was a really excellent group…I hope to see you all again. Best wishes” Dan McQuoid, 1st trip, BMW K1300S, Shenley, Herts |
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 Dinner is included our first night |
 John welcomes everyone to the Tour |
| “We had a fantastic time. Thanks John and Jen for all the work you put into the trip – the hotels, food and roads were great. Thanks also to you all for being such great company. Hopefully we will see you again on another tour.” Stuart & Sam Goodwin, 3rd trip, BMW 1200 GS Adventure, Norwich |
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 Andy M & Dave wearing similar shirts! |
 Breakfast in the conservatory |
| “Nothing to add to the superlatives previously posted…” Dave Cockburn, 3rd trip, Triumph Street Triple, Horthop, Flintshire |
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 Our morning briefing |
 Lunch in the shade |
 Some have longer to wait… |
Ice creams all round
 The best welcome at Baden-Baden! |
 Andy G, Dan & Gordon can’t wait! |
 Martin, Stuart & Sam |
 John W & Dave enjoying a beer |
 Our hotel by night |
 Bikes parked outside our hotel |
 Breakfast is in the cafe opposite |
 A briefing before we ride the famous B500 |
 Jen finds a good spot to take pics |
 John with Andy G on Street Triples |
 Alan on his BMW1200GS Adventure |
 Robert S on his Tiger 800 |
 John V on his VFR800 |
 Andy W on his Piaggio MP3 500 |
 Wheee!!! John W almost runs wide… |
 But turns in his GSXR750 |
 Dave on his Street Triple |
 Who turns back to do it all again ! |
 Stuart & Sam on their BMW 1200GS Adventure |
 “Backmarkers” Martin & Denise on their Explorer |
 Stewart on his GSXR1000 |
 Andy & Ros on their Honda Blackbird |
 Catt on her CBF600 & Gordon on his K1300S |
 Rob on his Tiger 1050 & Mike on his Street Triple |
 Dan on his BMW K1300S |
 Alan assures Jen “honest – I’ve got 300 miles left!!!” |
The Group at the end of the first part of the B500
We re-group before setting off again
 Coffee at Freudenstadt |
 Andy G & Dave with coffee & cakes |
 Martin & Denise with cakes! |
 There were cakes… |
 Visit the local market |
 See the fountains |
All the bikes at the cuckoo clock
The Group at the biggest cuckoo clock in the world
 Where we see it strike 2 o’clock |
 A poor show! Nobody waltzing!! |
 Pretty lunch stop at Triberg |
 John’s Street overheating? No, just full of petrol! |
 John on our Street Triple |
 Robert, Dan, Gordon & Backmarkers |
Our hotel in the Southern Black Forest
 Sam had sent Stuart to get the luggage! |
 Martin & Denise |
 Mike has his own terrace! |
 Andy & Ros |
 Alan |
 Time for drinks before dinner |
 Dinner is included this night |
 Fish, turkey or steak ? |
 Reunited from the Picos Tour 2014 |
 (Sorry John !) |
 We all enjoy Black Forest Gateau |
 What’s not to like? |
The fab setting overlooking the lake
 Pretty displays around the town |
 The town square |
 Great scenery on a ride-out the next day |
 Jen rides pillion to take photos |
 Andy G & Gordon |
 Gordon, Stew, John W & Mike |
 Twisty enough ? |
 Mike & John W |
 Most of the group visit the High Rhine Waterfalls in Switzerland |
 Lunch at the Falls |
 Superb views |
Only Alan took the boat ride to the middle of the Falls
 Dan followed by Rob, Stuart & Sam |
 Most of the riders… |
 Stew, Dave, Andy & Gordon |
 More of the boys… |
 Nice bends |
 Stew still leader of the pack |
 Dave followed by the rest |
 Somehow “Scooter” Andy gets to the front! |
 But then has to mark the junction! |
 Another morning briefing |
The group as we leave the Black Forest behind
 What a choice! |
 More cakes – John W |
 Sam & Stuart |
 Gordon & Catt |
Rare white storks spotted as we head into the Vosges Mountains
The brave ones take the ski lift up to descend in a luge…
 Andy & Ros |
 Alan & Stew – “LIFT THE BAR” !!! |
 Rob & Mike go first |
 Catt races Robert (sorry, then battery ran out!) |
 Rob arrives first |
 Then Mike – who won 2nd time round! |
 Catt wins! |
 Followed by Robert |
 Gordon & Dan… |
 Who falls off !!! |
 Ros wins too |
 Followed by Andy G |
 Andy M arrives next |
 Then John W |
 Dave beats Jen… |
 Who came off at the first bend ! |
 Alan arrives next |
 And finally – Stewart |
The Group in the Vosges with Andy’s Piaggio centre stage
 Our next stop is Epinal |
 Where we have secure garage parking |
 Parent & Child…!! |
 After a deviation Jen arrives first in the van! |
 Regular coffee stops |
 Our final hotel |
 Their bike having slipped over on a wet pedestrian crossing Ros returns the same evening with a chipped shoulder bone! |
 Alan kicks off the joke telling – and once he started there was no stopping him !! Thanks Alan for some great entertainment !! |
 Ooh Cecil – what’s bigger than a courgette?? |
 A final few words on our last night |
 Jen tells Ken Cullern’s “Cheese Scones” joke |
 Then Rob takes a turn |
The fantastic view from our hotel
 Our final stop is at Albert |
 One banana…two banana…!! |
Tell us something we didn’t know !! Our Tour hits the headlines !!
A great tour and we really enjoyed everybody’s company. Thanks to everyone for the brilliant feedback. With the most unfortunate accidents ever when Denise (pillion) fell when dismounting and ended up in hospital with a broken knee and Ros (also pillion) chipped her shoulder bone after their bike slipped over on a wet pedestrian crossing – we wish both ladies a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing many of you again on future tours. Ride safe, John & Jen